Today, 13th September, is National Employability Day. I’d like to take the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing work the sector does to support people into employment across the UK.
Enabling people to achieve their potential
This year’s theme, “Employment Support for Every Citizen,” showcases the sector’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility while recognising the wide range of individuals the sector supports and the diverse provision it offers at a national and local level.
From those in work but at risk of unemployment through to individuals who are long-term unemployed, disabled people, refugees, people on probation, care leavers, homeless people and single parents – there are hundreds of programmes and services around the country working with individuals from disadvantaged or under-represented communities who face barriers in finding sustainable paid work.
Whilst the sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobseekers every year, each individual requires personalised support designed to further their particular journey towards and into employment.
Ultimately, the sector is focused on achieving sustainable employment for individuals, but what often gets missed is that, along the way, delivery teams support people to access services and interventions that can underpin this aim, and which can genuinely transform lives. This can include support in accessing healthcare, childcare, debt advice, or skills programmes, which is important – critical in fact – social value activity that helps people navigate what is often a challenging and complex network of services to reach the help they need.
The sector’s role in a growing economy
Supporting an individual into paid work can be transformative to that person’s life. But beyond that, the sector adds great value to the wider economy in the following ways:
Supporting growth
The employability sector plays a crucial role in maintaining economic stability by ensuring there is a population of jobseekers ready and prepared for entry or return into the labour market. This not only benefits individuals but also strengthens the economy by fostering a more dynamic and adaptable workforce, supporting the wider growth agenda.
Addressing the skills gap
The skills gap is one of the most significant challenges facing today’s UK labour market. The employability sector addresses this by offering training and development opportunities that align with the needs of employers. Programmes focusing on upskilling and reskilling are vital in preparing individuals for an ever-changing jobs market, ensuring they have the capabilities required to thrive not only in jobs, but throughout their future career. It also helps ensure growth sectors and our most dynamic businesses have easier access to suitable talent in the areas they operate in.
Building stronger communities
Employability providers work with many organisations across the public, private and third sectors to ensure that local services are well connected and integrated, building stronger local relationships, encouraging collaborative working, reducing duplication and delivering a social impact that goes well beyond supporting individuals into work.
Looking to the future
The new Labour Government has set out its ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate for the UK. It has outlined a direction of travel for greater devolution delivering integrated employment, skills and health plans, and an intention to reform Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service to create a new combined Jobs and Careers Service for adults. These are big statements of intent and signal significant long-term change ahead.
However to achieve an 80% employment rate we need to see over 2.4 million more people in work across the UK than we have today – and that means we must have an inclusive approach to supporting people from all parts of our society into work. The employability sector are the experts in doing that and are key to providing the more personalised and holistic support needed to make this a reality.
So, whilst we contemplate change in the future, let’s celebrate what we have today: a strong and vibrant sector populated with professionals who are passionate about what they do in helping to improve the lives of those who need support and building stronger communities in which they operate.
I am proud to work in the sector. Happy National Employability Day everyone.
